This rare clay find is an exciting window into ancient Britain.

In the process, they discovered a small white ceramic head of a small statue.

The head dates to a previously unknown Roman occupation of the area between the first and third centuries CE.

Ceramic Head of Mercury Tells Us About Roman Britain

Photo:James Dobson, © National Trust Images

It is possible the statue broke over the centuries or perhaps was smashed in a ritual.

The find is especially rare due to the material of the head.

The Mercury head, along with other finds from the excavation, is now on view atSmallhythe Place.

The discovery of a tiny Roman statue head, depicting the god Mercury, in Kent, England has helped identify a previously undiscovered Roman-era settlement.

The Roman god mercury, here portrayed on a third-century BCE coin, discovered elsewhere. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED)